Whether or not you are a fan of the cold winter months, it’s inevitable this time of year that the snow is soon going to fly and the temperatures are soon going to drop.
The worst time to find out you need to do some work on your furnace is that first cold day when you decide to turn your thermostat back up. Not everybody wants to think about the coming cold months, but prior preparation while the weather is still warm will prevent a cold night to come, along the likely frosty response from family members.
The easiest place to start is with the furnace filter. Check the filter by holding it up to a light bulb — if it’s loaded with dust and dirt it’s time for a new one. It’s always a good rule of thumb to replace it at the beginning of the heating season for a fresh start anyways. Depending on the grade needed, most are still relatively inexpensive, while providing increased efficiency and priceless protection to the furnace system.
The blower and motor should be cleaned of any dusty residue from the last few months of dormancy. If there is an accessible oil reservoir — and don’t worry if you can’t find it because some units are permanently sealed — add a few drops of oil. Check to make sure the motor’s drive belt is tight and in good shape, and make sure there are no combustible materials anywhere near the furnace.
Patrol the heating area to remove obstructions to any of the vents and registers. Allergy sufferers will want to make sure to fire up that furnace for the first time of the season on a warm day when they will be able to open their windows. No matter how clean you keep your living quarters, there’s going to be some dust flying from your vents and registers once the system starts again, and you want to be able to get as much of those unwanted allergy-inducing particles out of your living area as possible.
The most important, never-stressed-enough message to all potential do-it-yourselfer furnace maintainers is simple. If you don’t feel comfortable getting into the project, hire a professional to come do it for you. Do yourself a favor and get it done right the first time — it’ll save you money in the long run.
For professional and expert winter preparation information, call Family Danz at .